Bettendorf Rotary Grant Program

The Bettendorf Rotary Club (BRC), a long-established civic organization founded in 1957, is currently accepting applications for its 2026 Grant Program. With over 100 active members, the Club is rooted in the Quad Cities region and promotes the Rotary motto “Service Above Self” through philanthropic projects on local, national, and international scales. Funded primarily by proceeds from its annual Lobsterfest fundraiser, the grant initiative represents one of the club’s key avenues for direct community support. The BRC 2026 Grant Program is designed to support nonprofit organizations operating within Scott County, Iowa, and/or Rock Island County, Illinois. The focus is on funding programs and services that address basic human needs, benefit youth, or support broader community welfare. The Club makes a point to clarify that eligibility is not restricted to Bettendorf-based nonprofits; organizations across the broader Quad Cities area are welcome to apply. Each grant award may be up to a maximum of $5,000. Applications are open to both returning and first-time applicants. Funds from these grants are intended for programmatic support and will not be allocated to annual fundraising campaigns, endowments, deficit financing, scholarships, or any political, sectarian, or personal use. Additionally, grants will not be awarded to individuals, Rotarians, or their families. To apply, eligible organizations must download the grant application from the Bettendorf Rotary Club website and submit the completed form via email to Joe Pacha at jpacha@ilstu.edu. The application must include the subject line “BRC GRANT” and be submitted no later than October 15, 2025. While there is no mention of a pre-application requirement, it is implied that the application form is straightforward and standalone. Applications will be reviewed by the Bettendorf Rotary Grants Committee, chaired by Joe Pacha. While specific evaluation criteria are not detailed, the Club’s emphasis on youth, human services, and community-oriented impact implies that proposals aligning with these themes will be prioritized. Interested applicants are encouraged to reach out to Joe Pacha directly at 309-838-7126 with any questions. The application window is open from September 15 to October 15, 2025. As this appears to be an annual program with prior cycles and a defined submission window, the grant opportunity can be considered recurring. Future applicants may expect similar cycles in subsequent years, typically opening in mid-September and closing in mid-October.

Include “BRC GRANT” in the subject line when emailing the application. Review eligibility criteria carefully.